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Original poster

Is it possible to get dla for a 2 year old with autism ?

28 replies

Lilacpurpleblue · 30/06/2023 17:39

Dd has autism but can we get dla ? Or would we have to wait till she is 3?

She doesn’t sleep, she’s constantly distressed, we have a terrible time but I wasn’t sure if they say well all 2 year olds have high needs ? Do I need to prove somehow how severe her issues are and how high her care needs are ?

OP posts:
Usernumber637373639273719 · 30/06/2023 17:42

Are you on the DLA group on Facebook? It’s very useful and I believe it has over 100,000 members!

Crispymandm · 30/06/2023 17:42

Get to doctors and try to get as many professionals involved as possible. Ask your health visitor for referrals and letters of support for dla. You can get dla for a two year old if she has higher care needs than your average 2 year old. Not sleeping would put her in that category x

Usernumber637373639273719 · 30/06/2023 17:43

But sorry I don’t know, if you provide enough evidence I couldn’t see why not. I don’t believe you’d be entitled to the mobility part at 2, but possibly the care part!

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OneRingToRuleThemAll · 30/06/2023 17:45

DD had high rate care at age 3 and low rate mobility from 5 for autism. She's 12 now and we have to reapply every few years, but her award has never changed.

Caspianberg · 30/06/2023 17:45

The sleeping part, probably not. My Ds is 3, never sleeps more that 2hrs at a time without waking. Can often do only 4-5hrs in 24hr. Doctor said it’s normal and some children just sleep less..

Jazzybean · 30/06/2023 17:45

Yes if you can prove that her care needs are above those of a ‘typical’ two year old and incur costs as a result.

Original poster
Lilacpurpleblue · 30/06/2023 17:46

Crispymandm · 30/06/2023 17:42

Get to doctors and try to get as many professionals involved as possible. Ask your health visitor for referrals and letters of support for dla. You can get dla for a two year old if she has higher care needs than your average 2 year old. Not sleeping would put her in that category x

We have the diagnosis report, I can ask the HV for a letter too. We are still waiting for our nhs SALT and OT assessments (diagnosis was private as the wait was too long otherwise) . I’ve heard the application is a lot so was worried if I do it and then she’s not even eligible

OP posts:
dearJayne · 30/06/2023 17:46

Yes some kids get it for constipation, eczema and other conditions so you will get it for autism. It goes on care needs,

AbsoIutelyLovely · 30/06/2023 17:47

We were offered it. It’s not means tested, it’s needs tested. We didnt apply,

Bobbybobbins · 30/06/2023 17:47

We got it at 2. As others have said, if you have the evidence you should apply. We had EHCP at 4. Definitely worth trying to get as much in place as early as possible.

Jazzybean · 30/06/2023 17:48

Caspianberg · 30/06/2023 17:45

The sleeping part, probably not. My Ds is 3, never sleeps more that 2hrs at a time without waking. Can often do only 4-5hrs in 24hr. Doctor said it’s normal and some children just sleep less..

You need a new doctor. Have you spoken to your health visiting team? If they have given advice, you’ve worked through a plan with them, and no improvement; they should be able to refer him to the child development centre for specialist support. He may need melatonin if nothing is working.

TwoBlueFish · 30/06/2023 17:48

Yes it’s possible. Additional needs must have been there for at least 3 months and expected to continue long term. The needs must be substantially in excess of those for a typical child of the same age. Phone for the forms and have a look through. You can complete a diary for a week to help you with the forms and can be sent as evidence.

Caspianberg · 30/06/2023 17:51

@Jazzybean - not in uk so different here. But he sees a paediatric specialist at every annual check, vaccine etc, and all of them have said ‘ some kids just don’t sleep much’. His nursery also say ‘ he’s just active’, no concerns.
He famously stayed awake the first 24hr after he was born also with not so
much as 30second shut eye.

Original poster
Lilacpurpleblue · 30/06/2023 17:53

She is non verbal and not mobile (she can walk perfectly in the house but will not even stand outside she starts shaking and screaming and we can’t get her to walk so she has to be carried or use a pushchair). She hardly eats and barely sleeps. She’s starting nursery soon to try and help with her development. Maybe I should give the dla application a try I just feel anxious about it

OP posts:
Shopper727 · 30/06/2023 17:56

We just got it for my 12 year old. Just apply and see what happens. The form wasn’t as bad as I thought. We weren’t offered it though? You apply if you feel your child’s extra care and mobility needs warrant it!

Sunshineclouds11 · 30/06/2023 17:59

I was also put off by the form from what people had said about it but honestly it wasn't bad!
I eventually done it last month after putting it off for 2 years.
Worst that can happen? They say no.
(Although you have a very high chance of getting it for her needs)

dearJayne · 30/06/2023 18:06

Lilacpurpleblue · 30/06/2023 17:53

She is non verbal and not mobile (she can walk perfectly in the house but will not even stand outside she starts shaking and screaming and we can’t get her to walk so she has to be carried or use a pushchair). She hardly eats and barely sleeps. She’s starting nursery soon to try and help with her development. Maybe I should give the dla application a try I just feel anxious about it

On what you've said you will qualify.

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 30/06/2023 18:07

Yes you can! I used to work with toddlers with SEND and most of them had DLA, it’s not that hard to get if you have evidence to back yourself up.

hiredandsqueak · 30/06/2023 18:09

Dd did HRC at two soon after her diagnosis so was only just two.

x2boys · 30/06/2023 18:12

Yes of course but you do.need evidence and you need to.show your child's needs. Are above and beyond those.of a child of the same age

x2boys · 30/06/2023 18:14

AbsoIutelyLovely · 30/06/2023 17:47

We were offered it. It’s not means tested, it’s needs tested. We didnt apply,

Im.not sure what you mean by you were offered it but didn't apply?
Nobody gets offered it you apply and if yout application is successful ,the child is,awarded DLAat whatever rate the decision maker feels is appropriate.

Wafflefudge · 30/06/2023 18:16

@AbsoIutelyLovely I don't understand what you mean by offered it, you can only access by applying no one is offered DLA, you apply and are either successful or unsuccessful

Trollfeet · 30/06/2023 18:17

Ask your HV if there is a local organisation that can help you apply, much less stressful than trying yourself.

Wafflefudge · 30/06/2023 18:17

@Lilacpurpleblue I think my son was about 2.5 or 3 when we applied and he got MRC.

elarcoiris · 30/06/2023 18:19

@Lilacpurpleblue I would say based on what you’ve posted here you would qualify. We did it for my son when he was just 3 and got the mid level based on his needs which are higher than the average 3/4yo but not super extreme.

Also worth noting that if she’s in nursery they can also apply for a one off payment (I think it’s disability access funding) to cover additional resources etc. This is in addition to anything the nursery might get in relation to an EHCP. And the award letter itself can come in useful as proof of disability in certain circumstances too.